Sammarone uses quote from Tressel in campaign ad

YOUNGSTOWN — Christopher Sammarone, a Mahoning County Probate Court judge candidate, is using a quote from Jim Tressel, his former football coach at Youngstown State University, calling him “a leader” on his campaign materials.

The quote prompted a response from Tressel, an administrator at the University of Akron, through the school’s communications department.

“He heard about this issue from some friends who made him aware of the use of the quote,” said Eileen Korey, a university spokeswoman. “Apparently, the quote comes from an old Youngstown Vindicator article written back when Chris played for Coach Tressel” in the early 1990s

Tressel, through Korey, declined further comment.

But county Democratic Party Chairman David Betras said he was “deeply troubled” by Sammarone “falsely” implying that Tressel “has endorsed his candidacy.”

Susan Maruca, the Democratic-endorsed candidate in the May 6 primary over Sammarone, said the literature “misleads the voters.”

Sammarone said the Tressel quote is not meant to be political — even though it’s on campaign material.

Sammarone will discuss the issue further at a Wednesday press conference.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com